Menjangan Island Diving Spots
The island of Bali is larger than you think it is. Usually, people will roam around southern Bali or a bit to the north in Ubud. But did you know Bali has a hidden gem far west of the Island? West Bali National Park, like the name suggests, is a National Park on the west side of Bali island. This national park holds a lot of Bali’s local fauna and flora. One of Bali’s best diving highlights is also located in this park, Menjangan Island Diving.
West Bali National Park
This park was founded in 1941 as an initiative to protect local Balinese animals and birds. At the start, the area of the park is around 77000ha but slowly diminished as time goes on. Travelling in the park is highly restricted but is still possible. If you are willing to go and explore, West Bali National Park offers you lots of vegetations, monsoon forest, mangroves, seagrass, rain forest, and of course coral reefs in shallow and deep waters.
Menjangan Island
Naturally preserved from human activities, Menjangan island is still one of the best natural places to visit in Bali. Especially for underwater activities, such as scuba diving. The island’s coral reefs are home to a lot of species, usually in various different colours. Large schooling of fishes, large fishes, and even tiny ones can be found in Menjangan. Prepare your camera and lenses, because you could do both macro or wide photography. Here are some dive spots in Menjangan.
Post I
This vast Bali dive site covers more than 60,000 m2 with partial drop-offs, slopes and flat areas. Common sightings are batfish and schoolings of them.
Post II
Located on the southeast point of the island. Wall diving starting at depths of 12 m. Below 25 m is home to large gorgonians and the cold water upwelling brings in the turtles, manta rays, sharks and occasionally mola-mola, (oceanic sunfish) with other pelagic fishes. The population of Titan Triggerfish needs extra awareness.
Bat Cave Point
Arguably, the best spot on Menjangan Island. Diving depths range between 3 m – 40 m with various gorgonians, sea fans, sponges and corals. Caves crevasses are found at 9 m -12 m and best for underwater photography. The head-on current brings in schools of fishes and the extended food chain. Expect to see the bluefin trevallies, big eye trevallies, and occasional blacktip reef sharks.
Garden Eels
Located on the northwest tip of Menjangan Island. The wall can be found at 5 m depth to a maximum of 35 m. The white sand slope is home to the long-nose hawkfish and gorgonian fans. This is also the Bali dive spot for white tip reef sharks, small schools of barracuda, turtles, and Napoleon fish. The garden eels are found at the slope to flat area at 14 m – 20 m.
Coral Garden
Located south of Garden Eels Point at depth of 5 m – 12 m. Clownfishes and their anemones dwell within the area also with big-eyed trevallies, titan triggerfishes and a surprising number of scorpionfishes.
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